I like the way that this book handles nuance. I wish more attention had been paid to the concept of mirror-self and the psychological/sociological implications of conformity, but an excellent read overall.

I had very high hopes for this but unfortunately was let down. It was pretty basic, common sense knowledge with a smattering of research. Works as an intro for someone who has no knowledge on the topic, but is a pass for anyone with any level of knowledge.

It is one of those books you don't think about in terms of 'I like it' or not, but which makes you think a lot after you've finished the book. It is an insightful intellectual investigation of the concept of beauty and its influence on the everyday life and behaviors. What I appreciated about this book is how the personal experiences of the writer, familiar with the world of glossy magazines and their projections of women bodies are created, are explained through philosophical and aesthetical theories as well as shared experiences of other women. Although it does leave open space to the possibility of completely eliminating the society pressure to conform to a certain idea of beauty, but at least it offers mental windows of opportunity to diminish its impact on everyday life and relationships.